What’s new in the Raspberry Pi A+?

The cheapest-yet model of the Raspberry Pi brings more pins and better audio for even less cost.

Raspberry Pi’s A+ upgrade has reached the warehouses of online shops around the world. Earlier this year in July, Raspberry Pi released the B+ upgrade of its B-Model single-board computer. Creator Eben Upton described it as the “final evolution” of the miniature computer.

It was only logical to also release a plus version of the A series, which sacrifices the ethernet connection for increased power efficiency.

Just like its predecessor, the British-made A+ comes with 256 MB of RAM (compared to 520 MB on the B+), one USB port and the same 700 MHz processor.

More pins, more efficient, more compact

The manufacturers have also made a number of interesting improvements to the specifications.

The use of the new HAT standard means that the A+ will be compatible with all add-ons that work with its bigger brother B+. The reduced power also usage improves the device’s usability for embedded projects.

Arguably the most impressive modification is the £5 reduction in price. The latest model is available for order in the UK for around £15 and in the US for $20, although it should be noted that these prices are without shipping costs.

Coman was Editor of JAXenter.com at S&S Media Group. He has a master's degree in cultural studies and has written and edited content for numerous news, tech and culture websites and magazines, as well as several ad agencies.